Family First Center And Dr. Evelyn Chenier Present Production To Benefit At-risk Youth

WAUKEGAN, Ill. - June 27, 2014 - PRLog -- Family First Center of Lake County will present this powerful and compelling play at the historic Genesee Theater in Waukegan, IL.  The play was winner of a 1977 Tony Award for Best Play and 1977 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, and was made into a major motion picture in 1982.  Playing for just one performance on July 19, 2014, this play captures the struggles and obstacles young African American face in our society.  The play does not follow the traditional 3-act format, but rather is built around 20 poems performed for the audience by seven characters identified only by a color.  Each character tells their story in music and poetry, coming together at the end of the play for an inspirational and uplifting climax.  The play is directed by Dr. Evelyn Chenier, who co-founded and serves as Executive Director of Family First Center of Lake County.

The play is a benefit for the G.R.I.P program (Gang Resistance Intervention & Prevention).  G.R.I.P is staffed by trained volunteers who guide young people to become future leaders.  The program provides youth who are at risk of gang involvement incentives, mentoring, counseling, and anti-violence messages through positive interactions and structured activities with the volunteer staff.

For Dr. Chenier, this play is close to her heart.  She portrayed one of the characters in a production while in undergraduate school.  “For Colored Girls portrays an extraordinary expression of the issues women deal with every day.  For Colored Girls is not is not just for African American girls – it is for all women,” says Dr. Chenier.  “It is the universal voice of women everywhere.  Join us as we explore the struggles, the heartache, the pain, the triumph and the joy the characters in the play experience.  Come celebrate all of the women who have come before us and those who will come after.  Our message is that you can discover that you have what it takes to endure life’s struggles and come out victorious.”

The Family First Center of Lake County (FFC) is a “Faith Based”, Not-for-Profit Organization that is committed to bringing about positive change in this community. Its missions is to “Nurture, educate, and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division, and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system.” FFC programs and services are designed to empower the entire family with the necessary tools to change their lives.  FFC serves over 7,000 clients per month with support services such as fitness classes, gym attendance, nutrition seminars, resume building, rent, food assistance and utility assistance, I.S.A.T. training, and counseling.